State must look at teachers’ situation

June 1, 2011

Another legislative session has come and gone and as per the status quo in West Virginia, teachers have been left out in the cold. This should come as a shock to absolutely no one; West Virginia ranked 47th in the nation in teachers' salaries. With this salary increase, the ranking will increase to 43rd. At the current pace with which raises are given to teachers in this state, West Virginia's teachers will surely be dropping back to 47th.

While I as a teacher am thankful for the $1,488 raise, it should only be considered a starting point for further negotiations. A first-year teacher in Berkeley County makes only $33,000 if they have a bachelor's degree and $35,890 with having a master's degree. To make matters even worse, teachers hired after the date of July 1, 2010, will not receive health insurance upon retirement. How does this state expect to bring good, qualified educators into the classroom?

For an existing teacher (other than the yearly increment for year's experience), the only way for teachers to increase their pay is by continuing their education to graduate or doctoral levels. To make matters worse, many of our neighboring states reimburse their teachers for continuing their education, while West Virginia does not unless it is a degree in a need area (math, science or special education).

Teachers in West Virginia do not have the right to collectively bargain; we collectively beg. Teachers in many areas of the state can live comfortably, but that is not the case in the Eastern Panhandle. As many of you well know the cost of living in Eastern Panhandle is exorbitant compared to other areas of the state. In fact, the average home value is $205,332 in Berkeley County and $248,117 in Jefferson County. Meanwhile the average price of a home in 24 of the state's 55 counties was below $75,000 and the state average is $110,000. In this area, many teachers, young and old, have to work two jobs to make ends meet. West Virginia must examine the idea of locality pay. West Virginia is one of just two states that do not have this measure in place to address cost of living inequities.

The issue of higher teachers' salaries should not pit Democrat against Republican or one teacher union member against the other. The issue of increased benefits for educators is one that everyone should stand and unite behind. Over the past decade it has become increasingly fashionable to bash teachers and public school systems. Teachers and public employees make low salaries and have little in the way of benefits. In addition to teaching, a teacher plays the role of parent, planner, developer, book keeper, janitor, counselor and referee on a daily basis.

John F. Kennedy once said "a child miseducated is a child lost." I do not want this to happen to the children of this area, but I am afraid it may if West Virginia continues to be 47th or 43rd the nation in teachers' salaries. When the beginning salary in Maryland is $47,000, Berkeley and Jefferson counties continue to be a revolving door. Many teachers leave after a year or two, getting a little experience under their belts before leaving for greener economic pastures. Our students suffer the consequences when we constantly have to fill positions with uncertified teachers. Our students are not getting a fair and equitable education as the Recht decision of 1982 mandated. I love my students, I love teaching and I love my state. The teaching profession used to be the pinnacle of professions to go into. These days it is becoming increasingly difficult to get college students to go into the field of education because of the salaries. Who can afford to pay $75,000 to $100,000 or more for a four-year education and then settle into a $33,000-per-year teaching job? It's just not logical anymore to go into the profession. With this happening we are short-changing our students. They are the ones who ultimately suffer.

In closing, acting Gov. Tomblin states on his website that he wishes to make West Virginia's schools second to none; perhaps he should start by paying its educators a living wage. In terms of salary and benefits, there is a lot more there for us, it's right, it's just, it's due us and most importantly, it's possible.